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Banded rockcod (Hyporthodus ergastularius) — Serranidae

Banded rockcod

Hyporthodus ergastularius
Family: Serranidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Banded rockcod (Hyporthodus ergastularius) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 157 cm.

Length
157 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–370.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The banded rockcod is a large grouper of the family Serranidae from the southwestern Pacific off the coast of Australia. The species can grow to over a metre and has a robust body; juveniles have conspicuous dark bands that fade with age. It lives on rocky reefs of the continental shelf and slope, at considerable depth. As an ambush hunter it catches fishes and crustaceans. Owing to slow growth and fishing the species is considered near threatened. It is a valued food fish and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded rockcod?

The Banded rockcod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded rockcod live?

The Banded rockcod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Banded rockcod get?

The Banded rockcod grows to a maximum of about 157 cm.

Is the Banded rockcod dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded rockcod is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded rockcod edible?

Yes, the Banded rockcod is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandtandbaars sourced
English name
Banded rockcod verified
Scientific name
Hyporthodus ergastularius
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Bar rockcod; Barcod; Down-under grouper; Grey-banded rock-cod verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
157.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
370.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hyporthodus

More from the family Serranidae

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